It’s been two months since a federal immigration operation in South Burlington sparked a large protest on Dorset Street.Hundreds of people gathered at the scene, leading to officers from multiple agencies responding through a mutual aid request. Several people were arrested that night, and at least one Burlington officer is under review for possible excessive force, leading to a call for every local agency involved to do a review. “This was a joint police ICE raid that illegally detained three Vermonters. And we need to ensure that that never again happens in our state,” said Will Lambek with Migrant Justice. On Tuesday, there was a special meeting for the Burlington Police Commission that was a personnel discussion related to the response that day. “It’s really not the depth of the scope of the inquiry whatsoever, but rather the policies that have been put in place by either mayoral executive order or brokered between the police commission and the police department, and how certain complaints are resolved,” said Shawn Burke, the interim Burlington police chief. Burke presented the case to the police commission. The meeting was held in executive session, behind closed doors, so few details were released publicly.But the review includes questions about how force was used that night, including a review into the Burlington officer accused of possible excessive force.Last month, South Burlington Police and Vermont State Police released body camera footage connected to the incident. Burlington police video has not been released yet, but city leaders said that footage is expected before the end of the month. “While the other entities have released their reviews, Burlington has different standards, different processes, different entities that have a step of our process or responsibility within our review,” said Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak. Advocacy groups, like Migrant Justice, said they understand the review process takes time, but they also said they believe there is already enough evidence available. “There was enough evidence on March 11th to know what happened. There’s enough evidence now, and we need accountability and a commitment to ensure that this never happens again,” said Lambek. Burke is expected to make a final disciplinary decision later this month on the officer who was under review.
BURLINGTON, Vt. —
It’s been two months since a federal immigration operation in South Burlington sparked a large protest on Dorset Street.
Hundreds of people gathered at the scene, leading to officers from multiple agencies responding through a mutual aid request.
Several people were arrested that night and at least one Burlington officer is under review for possible excessive force. Leading to a call for every local agency involved to do a review.
“This was a joint police ice raid that illegally detained three Vermonters. And we need to ensure that that never again happens in our state,” said Will Lambek with Migrant Justice.
On Tuesday, there was a special meeting for the Burlington Police Commission that was a personnel discussion related to the response that day.
“It’s really not the depth of the scope of the inquiry whatsoever, but rather the policies that have been put in place by either mayoral executive order or brokered between the police commission and the police department, and how certain complaints are resolved,” said Shawn Burke, the interim Burlington police chief.
Burke presented the case to the police commission. The meeting was held in executive session, behind closed doors, so few details were released publicly.
But the review includes questions about how force was used that night, including a review into the Burlington officer accused of possible excessive force.
Last month, South Burlington Police and Vermont State Police released body camera footage connected to the incident. Burlington police video has not been released yet, but city leaders said that footage is expected before the end of the month.
“While the other entities have released their reviews, Burlington has different standards, different processes, different entities that have a step of our process or responsibility within our review,” said Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak.
Advocacy groups, like Migrant Justice said they understand the review process takes time, but they also said they believe there is already enough evidence available.
“There was enough evidence on March 11th to know what happened. There’s enough evidence now, and we need accountability and a commitment to ensure that this never happens again,” said Lambek.
Burke is expected to make a final disciplinary decision later this month on the officer that was under review.